Friday’s game between the NL West first-place Los Angeles Dodgers and the AL West first-place Houston Astros was over before it started.

About an hour before first pitch, the Dodgers reported that All-Star first baseman Freddie Freeman had been scratched from the starting lineup and had left Minute Maid Ballpark to fly back to Los Angeles to be with his wife and three-year-old son, Maximus, who had been rushed to the hospital as he battles with transient synovitis, an illness that has progressed from a viral infection. Young Maximus came down with the ailment while at the All-Star Game in Arlington, TX with his parents.

As for the game, Freeman’s absence was very noticeable in the Dodgers dugout in their 5-0 loss to the Astros. They managed only six hits and went a collective 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position while stranding seven runners on base. It was the first time they were shut out since June 4.

Needless to say, the Dodgers are an entirely different team without their team leader and future Hall of Fame first baseman.

As of this writing there has been no additional information on Maximus’ condition. We ask that you please keep the entire Freeman family in your thoughts and prayers.

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